Welcome to the Kiser Middle School Band Program! I am very excited about having you as a part of our program. The Kiser Middle School Band Program is dedicated to giving students the opportunity to grow musically, socially, and academically.

The Kiser Middle School Band is committed to a very high standard of excellence. Students should at all times try to do their best to improve their own performance and the performance of the group as a whole. We have a very busy year ahead; it will require diligent work, but will also be fun. Students will have opportunities to participate in concert band, pep band, GCS all-County band,  NC Central District band, and Music in the Park Festivals/Competitions. We must and we will work together to be a successful band. Kiser Middle School Band members are a team...GO TIGERS!

Dear Parents of Sixth Grade Band Students,

Hello! I am excited about having your child in band. Our beginning band classes are now being formed. The first step is in choosing an instrument. The choices of instruments are as follows: flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, baritone, tuba, and *alto saxophone. The alto saxophone section will be limited to six students and will be filled on a "first come/first serve" basis. Parents will be notified if their child's first choice of instrument is unavailable.

The percussion section will not begin until late January. The percussion section will have space for only six students. Prospective percussionists will have to audition for this section. The audition will consist of a rhythm and note reading assessment, as well as, proficiency on their beginner instrument. If selected, percussion students will rotate within the section on bells, timpani, snare and bass drum. All students will begin on a wind instrument. 

It is the parent's responsibility to get an instrument for their child. I suggest using a reputable full service dealer, who offers a rental plan. There are a limited amount of school instruments available for students' use. Please see me regarding school owned instruments. All students will need to provide their own band book and instrument supplies. You may also refer to the 6th grade band supply list that is posted on my web page. Students will need to have their instruments in class on September 1, 2010. Those without instruments will be placed into the other encore classes.

I hope that this information will be of use to band parents. Please feel free to contact me with any questions via phone-370-8240, ext 6201, or e-mail-whitet@gcsnc.com. I look forward to meeting you and your child at open house.

Method Book: Standard of Excellence, Bk. 1

Music stand for home practice

• Flute:Flute cleaning kit
• Clarinets:Clarinet cleaning kit 4-size 2 and 1/2 Mitchell Lurie brand reeds (no rico brand reeds) reed holder
• Alto Saxophone:Saxophone cleaning kit 4- size 2 and 1/2 Vandoren brand reeds (no Rico brand reeds) reed holder
• Trumpet: Trumpet cleaning kit
• Trombone: Trombone cleaning kit small spray water bottle

Below is a list of good quality beginner instrument brands to look for when purchasing.

• Flute:  Armstrong, Jupiter, Emerson, Yamaha, Gemeinhardt
• Clarinet:  Vito, Jupiter, Buffet, Artley, Selmer, Yamaha
• Alto Saxophone:  Regent, Vito, Yamaha, Jupiter
• Trombone:  Jupiter, Holton, Conn, King, Bach, Yamaha
• Trumpet:  Conn, Besson, Yamaha, Bach, King

7th Grade Band Method Book:Standard of Excellence, Book 2

8th Grade Band Method Book: Essential Technique 2000

All 7/8 Band Instrument supplies include:

• Flute: Cleaning Rod/polishing cloth     
• Clarinets: cork grease, cleaning swab, soft cloth, key oil, reed guard, and 4-Mitchell Lurie brand reeds, size 3   
• Saxophones: cork grease, polishing cloth, key oil, cleaning swab, reed guard, and 4-Vandoren Brand reeds, size 3 All reed players should not use Rico Brand reeds
• Trumpets: Valve oil, polishing cloth   
• Trombones:slide cream, a small spray bottle, and a polishing cloth   
• Percussionists:  Vic Firth 2b drumsticks, drumstick bag, 1 pair of general timpani mallets, 1 pair of medium-hard xylophone/bell mallets
  

Practice charts

Practice charts are now due weekly! Practice is the required nightly homework for all band students at all grade levels and ability range. The weekly requirement is a minimum of 120 minutes. However, to effectively improve as a player, thirty minutes a day is the recommended minimum. Daily practice is needed to build the necessary muscles, breath and finger coordination. One or two days of extended, intense practice are not as beneficial as more moderate daily practice in developing good playing habits and endurance.

In order to encourage and monitor student practice, practice charts will be checked each Friday. Practice charts are to be initialed each week by the supervising parent or guardian and indicate when and how long practice occurred in the previous week. Students should also write down the pieces and/or exercises on which the spent their focused time. Late practice charts will be collected on Mondays.

Private Lessons

Don't just think of private lessons as something only for the child prodigy. Lessons will benefit any player who is willing to practice. Lessons can help the talented student excel, but struggling players can find success with the additional beneficial and encouraging help.

Many music stores offer lessons at varying rates. Another source for a potential teacher is the local colleges. Call for their Music Department and ask for a recommendation of one of the better student players. Often this specialized attention will be just what a student needs to blossom and grow as a player!

All-County Band Middle School Audition Requirements    

*Auditions will be held February 8, 2011 at Hairston Middle School

Snow date: February 15 

Each student must perform the following scales either tongued or slurred:

Concert Bb Major

Concert Eb Major

Concert Ab Major

Concert F Major

Chromatic Scale (slurred)

Each student will also be asked to perform a selection from the solos listed below:  

All-District Band Audition Requirements  

MIDDLE SCHOOL  

*Auditions will be held January 8, 2011    

(Snow date:  January 15)  

Each student must perform all   of the scales on the scale sheet below.  The scales do not have to be memorized.  

  Each student will also be asked to perform a selection from the solos listed below:   

CENTRAL DISTRICT MIDDLE SCHOOL SOLO LIST-- updated 6/2/09